Huo Rf (b. 1988) is a multidisciplinary artist working in painting, sculpture, video, and found materials. Tackling social and cultural norms by listening to others and their stories, he congeals communal feeling in his work, stressing the personal as political. Copper is a material he often employs, its malleability reflecting his interests in flexible and fluid approaches to process, as well as his concerns around queer modes of thought in identity formation. Incorporating empathy into the core of his process, he accumulates the stories of people—friends and strangers alike—allowing them to influence his production. He also often collaborates and produces with other artists, and makes gathering a central part of his artistic practice.
Huo Rf is the co-founder of the online platform border_less (2018), and border_less ARTBOOK DAYS (2019), the first and largest alternative art-book event in Türkiye. He is also a founding member of Signs of Time (2011), an Istanbul-based artist collective. His works have been featured in Vogue Türkiye, YKY Sanat Dünyamız, Art Unlimited and Tohu Magazine, among others. He has been publishing a series of interviews, Huo Is Asking, in Art Unlimited since 2014.
Huo Rf lives and works in Istanbul, Türkiye. He received his BFA degree in painting at Balikesir University.
Zehra Begüm Kışla, New York, 2023
SOLO and TWO PERSON EXHIBITIONS
Dec. 2021, … person, action, situation … (pop-up exhibition), Museo Nitsch, Naples, IT
Sep. 2019, Abstract Lies - chapter 1 (with Abdi Cadani), curated by Asli Seven, Bilsart, Istanbul, TR
Sep. 2018, … Was Here, curated by Merve Elveren, Elhamra Han, Istanbul, TR
Oct. 2017, Stories in Reverse, curated by Nicole O'Rourke, Pi Artworks Gallery, Istanbul, TR
Jan. 2015, Mümkün, Karl Gallery, Istanbul, TR
RESIDENCIES & WORKSHOPS
Oct.-Dec. 2021, Neapolitan Dialogues, Fondazione Morra - Archivio Casa Morra (supported by Turkey ONE Association), Naples, IT
Jan. 2021, Backdrop, Ashkal Alwan Home Workspace Program 2021 online workshop, Beirut, LB
May 2020, Lyeberyy HQ ‘#inthehereandofthenow’, virtual residency, New York City, USA
July - Aug. 2019, SVA Summer Residency, (supported by American Turkish Society), New York City, USA
Oct. 2018 - March 2019, Istanbul Biennial Work & Research Program, Istanbul, TR
March 2016, Raizvanguarda Artist Residency, Coimbra, PT
SELECTED GROUP SHOWS & PROJECTS
2024
Feb. border_less Editions Pop Up, Gallery Nev, Ankara, TR
2023
Nov.-Dec. border_less Editions Pop Up, Zilberman Gallery, Istanbul, TR
Oct. Vienna Art Book Fair, Vienna, AT
Sep. 10: Abstractions, Intimations, Ruminations, curated by Duygu Demir, İmalat-hane, Bursa, TR
June, Circular IV. National Art & Environment Events curated by Bengü Gün, Mersin, TR
June, border_less Editions Pop Up, İmalat-hane, Bursa, TR
2022
Dec. border_less Editions Pop Up, SANATORIUM Gallery, Istanbul, TR
Nov. Remedy for the Soul, Vision Art Platform, Istanbul, TR
Sep. Athens Art Book Fair, Athens Conservatoire, Athens, GR
Sep. Contemporary Istanbul Art Fair, Vision Art Platform, Istanbul, TR
May. border_less ARTBOOK DAYS, ARTER, Istanbul, TR
April. Miss Read Art Book Fair, House of World Cultures (HKW), Berlin, DE
March. Oeuvre and Grace, curated by Derya Yücel, Erimtan Archaeology and Arts Museum, Ankara, TR
Feb. Lorem Ipsum, curated by Begüm Güney - Oart exhibitions - Odeabank, Akaretler no 11, Istanbul, TR
2021
Dec. border_less Editions Pop Up - Öktem Aykut Gallery, Istanbul, TR
May. border_less ARTBOOK DAYS, Bilsart, Istanbul, TR
2020
Oct. border_less ARTBOOK DAYS - Pop Up, Dirimart Gallery, Istanbul, TR
May. Paris Ass Book Fair - Virtual, Paris, FR
May. Printed Re-visited, Mixer, Istanbul, TR
2019
Dec. The Passage, curated by Melike Bayik, Eldem Sanat Alani, Eskisehir, TR
Nov. FLAT Art Book Fair, Turin, IT
Sep. SVA Summer Residency Programs Open Studio Exhibition, New York City, USA
April. border_less ARTBOOK DAYS, Istanbul, TR
April. Paris Ass Book Fair, Palais de Tokyo, Paris, FR
2018
Nov. Sunday Morning, curated by Nicole O'Rourke, Galerist, Istanbul, TR
June. KEK Sever Misiniz?, Kadin Eserleri Kütüphanesi ve Bilgi Merkezi Vakfi ( Women's Library ), Istanbul, TR
May. Beyond Words, 4th Mardin Biennial curated by Derya Yücel, Nazli Gürlek, Firat Arapoglu, Mardin, TR
March. First Raunt, a selection from the collection of Banu-Hakan Çarmikli, Galata Greek School, Istanbul, TR
2017
Sep. Contemporary Istanbul Art Fair, Pi Artworks Gallery, Istanbul, TR
May. The Istanbul Off-site Project For Sharjah Biennial 13, BAHAR (Spring), curated by Zeynep Oz, with Signs Of Time, Istanbul, TR
May. The Multiplier Effect, Printed 17, Mixer, Istanbul, TR
2016
Sep. Replaced, curated by Esra Sarigedik Oktem & Nicole O'Rourke, Rampa Istanbul Gallery, Istanbul, TR
2015
Nov. Contemporary Istanbul Art Fair, Signs Of Time, Istanbul, TR
Jan. Cross The Earth, Her Head Is On The Balcony, Signs Of Time, Pi Artworks Gallery, Istanbul, TR
2014
Nov. Contemporary Istanbul Art Fair, Signs Of Time, Istanbul, TR
Oct. CONTRA Art Fair, London, UK
April. Signs Of Time II Outer, Dream, Adahan Hotel Gallery, Istanbul, TR
2013
July. Signs Of Time, Galerist, Istanbul, TR
2009
Oct. International Print Triennale Society, Jagiellonian Library, Lettra, Krakow, Oldenburg, Wieden, PL
Sep. Prints for Peace-Grabados por la Paz, MX
2008
June. 7th Lessedra World Art Print Annual Mini Print, Sofia, BG
2007
June. 6th Lessedra World Art Print Annual Mini Print, Sofia, BG
SELECTED BOOKS & EDITORIAL WORKS
Art Unlimited Magazine, co-editor Huo Rf, issue 76th (English and Turkish), July / August - Istanbul, 2023.
Vision Art Magazine, editor Huo Rf, issue two (English and Turkish), June - Istanbul 2023.
The Memorable, Neslihan Başer's artist book, edited by Huo Rf, texts; Yasemin Ozcan, Neslihan Baser, Asli Işıksal, translation and proofreading; Gülşah Mursaloğlu, İpek Ulusoy Akgül. Designed by Eren Su Kibele Yarman. 200 copies were printed, Istanbul, 2022
...WAS HERE, Huo Rf & E S Kibele Yarman, The artist book which is a continuation of the publication as part of Huo Rf's 2018 exhibition ... was here, prepared by Huo Rf with artist-designer E S Kibele Yarman, 2021.
Create Your Own Homotopia, stickers project is formed to accompany the works exhibited at Stories in Reverse, 2019.
Islands, text for exhibition book of Pedro Gomez Egana, published Zilberman Gallery, Istanbul, 2019
Abstract Lies, artist's book published by A4 Ofset, supported by Bilsart, Istanbul, 2019
Fan Page, collaboration with Ecem Yuksel, Ecem Yuksel's artist book, dialogues by Huo Rf, 30 editions, coloring book, Istanbul, 2019
… was here, artist's book published by Mas Matbaa, Istanbul, 2017
Stories In Reverse, artist's book published by Veritas Publish Center, Pi Artworks Istanbul, 2017.
MÜMKÜN, exhibition catalog, published by Karl Gallery, supported by Karl Institute, 2015
Signs Of Time, Outer / Dream, exhibition book published by Bilgi Publish Center, Istanbul, 2014
SELECTED PRESS, REVIEW and INTERVIEWS
Soli, Hikaye - Huo Rf, Aposto, December, 2023
Bakırın dalgalanışı, eleştirel gücün akışı, review by İlker Cihan Biner, artıgerçek, August 20, 2023
5. yılında gümbür gümbür border_less ARTBOOK DAYS, Conversation by Merve Akar Akgün, Art Unlimited, May-June issue, 2023
20 sanatçı dünün zarafetini bugünün sanatına taşıyor, review by Nazlı Pektaş, Oksijen, May 20, 2022
Zamansız Bir Arayış, review by Seray Şahinler, Milliyet Sanat, May 1, 2022
Artbook Days opens new dimension for Turkey’s art scene, Huo Rf & Melek Gençer - Conversation by Hatice Utkan, Hürriyet Daily News, May 21, 2021
İhtiyacımız olan esnek yapılar ve daha fazla iş birliği, Huo Rf & Melek Gençer - Conversation by Merve Akar Akgün, Art Unlimited, May-June issue, 2021
10 Minute Interviews, Conversation by Hüma Kabakci, Open Space Contemporary, March 23, 2021
BiL’S Sohbetler, border_less Melek Gençer & Huo Rf, bils.com, April 19, 2021
Love Letters, letter by Hüma Kabakci & Huo Rf, Sanayi 313 PAPER, May 26, 2020
Sanatçıların ortak endişesi: Güvencesiz çalışma koşulları, interview, Vartan Estukyan, AGOS, April 30, 2020
Müşterek Mahrem: Neyi bilmemek, söylememek ve görmemek gerekir?, T24, Sep. 4, 2019
Yeni bir soluk, Conversation by Merve Akar Akgün, Art Unlimited, May-June issue, 2019
Sanatın kitabı da, kitabın sanatı da sınırsızlığın sınırında, Evrim Altug, SAHA Association ‘Article Series’, May 17, 2019
Archeologic Texture of a City's Reflections, Ilker Cihan Biner, Art Unlimited, Nov.-Dec. issue, 2018
Writings on Ani Ruins become art piece, Hatice Utkan Özden, Hürriyet Daily News, Oct. 2, 2018
Ters köşe hikâyeler, review, Cansu N. Şimşek, YKY Sanat Dünyamız, Jan.-Feb., 2018
Stories in Reverse - Conversation by Merve Akar Akgün, Tohu Magazine, Dec. 1, 2017
The invisibility of queer culture, Hatice Utkan Özden, Hürriyet Daily News, Nov. 20, 2017
Sanatçının yeraltından notları ve içsel anarşi, review, İlker Cihan Biner, SANATATAK, Nov. 20, 2017
Angst setzt Kräfte frei, Susanne Güsten, Der Tagesspiegel, Dec. 26, 2016
Uncertainty in Post-Coup Turkey Is Refueling Istanbul’s Art Scene, Kaya Genç, HUFFPOST, Oct. 31, 2016
Her Birini Bir Efkâra Yazmislar, Erden Kosova, manifold, Oct. 31, 2016
Fifteen artists to follow this season in the Turkish art scene, Hatice Utkan Özden, Hürriyet Daily News, Oct. 26, 2016
In new Rampa show, dispossession and replacement take center stage, Kaya Genç, Daily Sabah, Oct. 7, 2016
SELECTED TALKS
2nd April 2024, Conversations on Books: Artist Books, E S Kibele Yarman, Huo Rf, Sevil Tunaboylu, SALT Galata, İstanbul, TR
II. Litho Days in Turkey "Past, Present and Future of Printmaking in Turkey" panel will be held at Çankaya Municipality Turan Erol Art Studio on December 16, 2023, with the participation of Atilla Atar, Can Aytekin, Derin Ekin Kenter, Huo Rf and Melek Gençer Vardar and moderated by Kadir Çıtak.
2nd March 2023, artist talk on Berke Yazıcıoğlu’s exhibition Nighttime, participation of Berke Yazıcıoğlu & Ulya Soley, moderator Huo Rf, Dirimart Pera, Istanbul, TR
December 2022 January 2023, ‘What are we missing?’, Kale Design and Art Center, talk series programmed by Huo Rf, moderator Elif Bereketli, Zeynep Özler, speakers Christian Oxenius, Tom Fellows, Matt Hanson, Diana Page, KTSM, Istanbul, TR
27th October 2022, About the Infiniteness of Art, exclusive event to IKSV Lale Card members, with the invitation of Tepta, moderator Merve Akar Akgün, TEPTA, Istanbul, TR
25th May 2022, Online Conversation: Artist-Curator meeting, ‘Oeuvre and Grace’, speakers; Ayça Telgeren, Berkay Tuncay, Huo Rf, Yasemin Özcan, Derya Yücel. Erimtan Archeology and Art Museum, Ankara, TR
2nd April 2022, Graphic Design & Art, moderator Huo Rf, speakers Eren Su Kibele Yarman and Ufuk Baris Mutlu, organized by Unlimited Publications, W Hotel, Istanbul, TR
27th June 2021, ArtOne art talks, artist presentation, Turkey ONE Association, Istanbul, TR
27th Dec. 2020, CI Talks Programme, ‘Intergenerational Art’ Moderator Pelin Aktaş, speakers Duygu Demir & Huo Rf, Istanbul, TR
20th Nov. 2020, Base Talks Programme, ‘Art Publications in New Normal’, Istanbul, TR
27th April 2019, Step Istanbul Talks Programme, Moderator - Merve Akar Akgün, Huo Rf, Hatice Utkan Özden, Ayça Telgeren, Istanbul, TR
6th Feb. 2019, ‘Paracetamol’, artist talk for Sabo’s exhibition with Sena and Sabo, Versus Art Project, Istanbul, TR
26th May 2018, 'Beyond Words' 4th Mardin Biennial 'Boundaries and Thresholds' side event artist talk and work preview with Derya Yücel, Loading, Diyarbakir, TR
17th March 2018, SU Gender ( Sabanci University Gender and Women's Studies Center of Excellence ) talks about Bodies, 'Skin, Portrayal, Place', Yapi Kredi Kültür Sanat-Loca, Istanbul, TR
COLLECTIONS, AWARDS & GRANTS
2021, Support Grant, Turkey ONE Association in partnership with Fondazione Morra, Naples, IT
2019, Support Grant, American Turkish Society in partnership with SVA Summer Residency, New York, USA
2018, Banu-Hakan Çarmıklı Collection, Istanbul, TR
2017, Huma Kabakci Collection, Istanbul-London, TR-UK
2009, 2nd Guanlan International Print Biennial Collection, Shenzhen, CN